Oahu Transit Services, Inc. Newsletter Volume XXIV ...3 Felipe Anguiano, Lead Mechanic, was promoted on 4/1/2016. Felipe was previously a HEM – Running Repair and has been with OTS,

Operators ofThe Quarters

J. Roger MortonPresident and General Manager

Operators Ralph Aviles (top left), Glenn Gima (top right),

and Paratransit Master Operator Robert McCormick (bottom) share the spot-light. Read more about them on page 11.

Transit Transfers Pg 2-3

Retiree Corner Pg 4-5

Daryl & Vai Ishiyama’s Story Pg 6

New Ohana Pg 7

Cummins Million Mile Bus Pg 8-9

Operators of the Quarters Pg 11

2015 TheHandi-Van Roadeo Pg 12

Step-Out Walk to Stop Diabetes Pg 14

New Smart Card Fare System Pg 15

Look Inside!Oahu Transit Services, Inc. Newsletter Volume XXIV , Number 1 Summer 2016

Remember Who We Are

Continued on page 5.

‘

I’m reminded almost daily of just how important TheBus and TheHandi-Van is to the fabric of our beautiful island home. We are in the news almost every week for good and bad reasons. This is understandable—TheBus provides about 210,000 daily trips to residents and visitors, and TheHandi-Van provides about 4,000 daily trips to our disabled community who are not able to use TheBus effectively.

Much of the credit for this success goes to our dedicated front line people—Bus and Paratransit Operators and our friendly Information, Customer Service, and Service Delivery staffs. I’m especially grateful for the unsung contributions of our behind-the-scene staffs—maintenance, clerical, and supervisory staff who keep our complicated network humming. Without their efforts, we would not enjoy the high regard of our customers, community, elected officials, and industry. We could not be all that we are without the dedicated contributions that all of

our staff make to meeting the high standards of schedule, service, safety, and security that we set for ourselves and that our customers expect and appreciate.

On July 1 we began a new budget year, and I thought some of you would like to know the scope of our operations. Our operator numbers for TheBus and the Handi-Van will total about 1,350 by the end of this year. Altogether, we will have almost 2,000 OTS employees and the overall budget is about $250 million. We expect that we will provide about 70 million transit trips over the course of a year—approximately 210,000 trips per day. We’ll consume about 6 million gallons of diesel fuel, and we will operate almost 100,000 vehicle miles of travel per day on our buses and Handi-Vans. Sometime in this fiscal year, we plan to improve service in Mililani and along the North Shore. We also plan our first peak express bus from the Wahiawa-Mililani-Waipahu area to Kapolei to support the new employment areas in

2

Transit TransfersTransit TransfersTransit TransfersNeal Yamanouchi, Lead Trades Person, was promoted on 11/3/2015. Neal was previously a Journeyman Tradesperson and has been with OTS, Inc., since 8/14/1995.

Joshua Candelina, Central Radio Controller, was promoted on 12/1/2015. Joshua was previously a Bus Operator and has been with OTS, Inc., since 5/31/2008.

Ringo Manu, Central Radio Controller, was promoted on 12/1/2015. Ringo was previously a Bus Operator and has been with OTS, Inc., since 1/17/1998.

Walter Oba, Central Radio Controller, was promoted on 12/1/2015. Walter was previously a Bus Operator and has been with OTS, Inc., since 11/1/2008.

Roger Smith, Dispatcher, was promoted on 12/1/2015. Roger was previously a Bus Operator and has been with OTS, Inc., since 12/16/2006.

Jimmy Scott, Road Supervisor, was promoted on 1/1/2016. Jimmy was previously a Bus Operator and has been with OTS, Inc., since 8/11/2001.

Romy Barut, Maintenance Manager, Paratransit Services, was promoted on 3/1/2016. Romy was previously Asst. Maintenance Manager II Paratransit Services, and has been with OTS, Inc., since 12/12/1994.

Edwin Bolosan, Asst. Superintendent, Maintenance – Kalihi Division, was promoted on 3/1/2016. Edwin was previously an HEM – Running Repair and has been with OTS, Inc., since 12/1/1997.

Tracy Kim, General Superintendent, Transportation, was promoted on 2/1/2016. Tracy was previously Superintendent of Transportation, Kalihi Division and has been with OTS, Inc., since 8/2/1988.

Charlton Lyman, Journeyman Trades, was promoted on 1/16/2016. Charlton was previously a Temporary Trades Helper and has been with OTS, Inc., since 10/20/2014.

Spencer Louie, Technical Equipment Coordinator, was promoted on 2/1/2016. Louie was previously a Lead Mechanic and has been with OTS, Inc., since 5/3/1999.

Pitone Leao, Road Supervisor, was promoted on 3/1/2016. Pitone was previously a Bus Operator and has been with OTS, Inc., since 12/1/2007.

3

Felipe Anguiano, Lead Mechanic, was promoted on 4/1/2016. Felipe was previously a HEM – Running Repair and has been with OTS, Inc., since 11/24/2008.

Robril Tingcang, Superintendent, Transportation – Kalihi Division, was promoted on 3/1/2016. Robril was previously an Asst. Superintendent of Transportation and has been with OTS, Inc., since 6/18/1994.

Paula Anne Ignacio, Purchasing Manager, was promoted on 3/16/2016. Paula was previously an Assistant Purchasing Manager and has been with OTS, Inc., since 7/11/1988.

Melvin Ling, Dispatcher, was promoted on 3/16/2016. Melvin was previously a Bus Operator and has been with OTS, Inc., since 9/22/2007.

Rex Paguirigan, Asst. Superintendent, Transportation – Kalihi Division, was promoted on 4/1/2016. Rex was previously a Road Supervisor and has been with OTS, Inc., since 8/11/1990.

Pamela Antolin, Transportation Clerk Coordinator, was promoted on 4/16/2016. Pamela was previously a Clerk Typist II and has been with OTS, Inc., since 2/1/2008.

Karis Kamoku, Paratransit Dispatcher, was promoted on 5/1/2016. Karis was previously a Paratransit Reservationist and has been with OTS, Inc., since 11/25/2014.

Thomas Ayson, Road Supervisor, was promoted on 4/16/2016. Thomas was previously a Bus Operator and has been with OTS, Inc., since 11/1/2008.

Wayne Kaululaau, Central Radio Controller, was promoted on 4/16/2016. Wayne was previously a Bus Operator and has been with OTS, Inc., since 12/16/2006.

Greg Serapion, Asst. Maintenance Manager I, Paratransit Services, was promoted on 4/16/2016. Greg was previously a Paratransit Lead Mechanic and has been with OTS, Inc., since 12/4/2006.

Ruiz Dominador, Paratransit Lead Mechanic, was promoted on 6/1/2016. Ruiz was previously a Paratransit Mechanic and has been with OTS, Inc., since 3/2/1996.

4

Joseph Cordero, Paratransit Customer

Service Clerk, retired on 12/1/2015.

23 years of service

Darrell-Lynn Williams, Bus Operator,

retired on 12/1/2015. 21 years of service

Edwin Albano, Accounting Supervisor,

Paratransit Services, retired on 1/1/2016. 18 years of service

Hubert Fernandez, Bus Operator, retired on

1/1/2016. 14 years of service

Kerry Dickenson, Road Supervisor,


Leonardo Arcano, Paratransit Operator,


Charles Davis, Bus Operator, retired on


Eduardo Soria, Bus Operator,


Retiree CornerFrancis Fukuda,

Bus Operator, retired on 4/1/2016. 23 years of service

Eric Koizumi, HEM – Running Repair,


Mark Ramos, Bus Operator,


Gary Nakashima, Bus Operator,


Theresa Figueroa, Secretary II retired on


Edward Izutsu, HEM - Air Condition, retired on 4/1/2016. 36 years of service

Gerald Wan, Bus Operator,


Steve Uyeda, HEM – Body Shop,


Koli Faausugafa, Bus Operator,


Dani Suzawa, Personnel Supervisor,


Hank Takafuji, Paratransit Operator, retired on 4/12/2016.

9 years of service

Gayle Kahalehau, Bus Operator,


Robert Martin, Bus Operator,


Lionel Mattoon, Bus Operator,


James Lucena, Bus Operator,


Michael Onouye, Technical Equipment

Coordinator, retired on 5/1/2016. 34 years of service

Michael Costa, Bus Operator,


Edward Gilbert, Bus Operator,


Robert Vierra, Bus Operator,


Alfred Rosario, Dispatcher,


Archer Onouye, HEM – Brake Shop, retired on 6/1/2016. 38 years of service

5

Aloha United Way Day

the second city. And of course, we will need to deal with the high degree of construction occurring throughout the island but especially along the rail corridor.

On the capital side, we will continue to receive new buses this year to keep our bus and Handi-Van fleets in a state of good repair and to allow some increase in our Handi-Van fleet. We’ve also begun work on a joint project with HART to develop a new smart card fare program that will allow seamless travel between bus and rail. And the City has begun a planning study to determine how rail passengers will complete that last mile or two to get from a station to Waikiki or UH. We are fortunate that our City leaders continue to invest in our public transportation system and continue to have confidence in Oahu Transit Services to act as their bus and Handi-Van operator.

My objectives for the coming year are to continue to stress safety, better employee attendance, and improved on-time performance. On the safety side, our collision rate has remained about the same over the past few years but our passenger injuries (generally from falling down on the bus) are on an improving trend. Compared to other large transit bus systems on the mainland, TheBus ranked 11th best out of 36 systems for collisions and 17th out of 36 for passenger falls while riding TheBus. I know that operating a bus or a Handi-Van on our crowded streets is a tough job especially with the heavy passenger loads and all the other traffic, which is being exacerbated by various construction projects. Compared to 36 other transit systems, TheBus has the heaviest average load factors which translate into more standing passengers. Still, I know we can always do better.

All in all, I am proud of the job that the men and women of Oahu Transit Services perform every day. I still enjoy coming to work every day because of the spirit of our employees, and I try to make a difference to the experiences of our customers. Mahalo to all of our employees for making the Company what it is today. Imua!

Remember Who We AreContinued from cover

OTS Cosplay Contest

Prize: $25 gift card, posting on the Intranet and newsletter.

· Minimum of four (4) entries required per location.· Costumes used in the 2013 & 2014 contests are not eligible.· Winners from the 2014 contest are not eligible to win a prize but can join in the presentations at any of the locations.

Friday, September 30, 2016Kalihi Facility - Operators’ Lounge

9:00 a.m. to Wheneva Da Food Run Out

The Food of My People – Cook Off

The Taste of OTS – Food of My People

OTS Organization Olympics aka “OOO!”Friday, September 30, 2016

Four-man teams will compete in a series of five challenges. 1st Place: Bragging rights, posting on the Intranet, photo in the Express!

newsletter, certificate of achievement, and $200 for a luncheon for their team.

Entrance Fee is $100 per team. Note: Minimum of eight (8) teams for the event to take place.

This year we are going back to our roots. Cook us a meal that means something to you and your family. You also need to include a short narrative

of how this dish was important to your family.

The 1st Place WINNER will receive a $200, an article in the Express! newsletter, a winner’s certificate and bragging rights for having the

BEST COMFORT FOOD at OTS!

Taste the best dishes imaginable by purchasing each tasty serving for $3.50 or a full lunch plate for $8.00. All proceeds will go towards the Aloha United Way fund. Each serving will be accompanied with a voting sheet to select a

winner in the Cook-off.

Monday, October 31, 20169:00 a.m. Pearl City,

10:00 a.m. Paratransit11:00 a.m. Kalihi

Operators’ Lounge at all three locations

Categories:Halloweeniest

In the Media/Pop CultureOutside the Box

Best In Show

Aloha United Way Pledge Form Prize Drawing Simply fill out the Aloha United Way Pledge form attached to your pay stub and drop it off at the Human Resources Office. All pledge forms will be entered into the drawing.

Daryl and Vai Ishiyama’s Story

6

Bus Operator Class 204

Photo above (left to right) Front Row: Philippe Baquiel, Zhaozong Yang, Pati Sagapolutele, Austin Inouye.

Middle Row: Michael Molina, Tasimilo Afoa, Robert Bailey, Teresa Kahookele, Bryson Ruiz, Aaron Mattis.

Back Row: Timothy Villanueva, Ronson Roman, Arthur Gascon, Kimberly Kaikaka, Alvin Robino, Ruben Marcos, Tonette Gumapac.

Graduated June 3, 2016Bus Operator Class 203

Photo above (left to right) Front Row: Peter Williams, Jerry Valdez, Mateo Baptista.

Middle Row: Wayne Akui, Antonio Quichocho, Rafael Javier, Tiffany Horne, Deanna Elkington, Tina Merritt,

Carolee Pacheco, Ronnie Matsumoto. Back Row: Philip Matias, Clifton Cuba, Mila Siimalevai,

Alfred Palauni, Mardy Tamayo.

Graduated March 4, 2016

Photo above (left to right): Daryl and Vai Ishiyama.

Now showing at all Consolidated Theatres Hawaii as a prelude to your featured movie is the story of Daryl and Vai Ishiyama . It’s a two-minute piece sharing how both of them met, fell in love, and got married while working together at the Consolidated Theatres Ward Cineplex.

Daryl and Vai’s love story is the first in a series of stories Consolidated is creating to celebrate its 100th anniversary in Hawaii next year.

Daryl (Counting Room Clerk ll) and Vai (a Paratransit Dispatcher) met just prior to the opening of the Ward Theatres in 2001 and married in 2005.

To view Daryl and Vai’s story: http://creativity-online.com/work/consolidated-theatres-daryl--vai/47883

To view article in News of Hawaii: https://newsofhawaii.com/summers-greatest-rom-com-starring-daryl-and-auntie-vai/

New OTS ‘Ohana

7

BEHIC, FRANCIS Paratransit Operator 11/21/15

KALAWA, VELMA Paratransit Operator 11/21/15

MEDINA, CHRISTOPHER Paratransit Operator 11/21/15

NAGASEU, TEPORA Paratransit Operator 11/21/15

PARADEZA, CESAR Paratransit Operator 11/21/15

STEVENSON, ALISHA Paratransit Operator 11/21/15

TORRES, PAOLO Paratransit Operator 11/21/15

BETHAM, MARGARET Temp. Paratransit Reservationist 12/07/15

DOMINGO, CLAIRE ANN Temp. Paratransit Reservationist 12/07/15

LEE–YORK, WENDY Temp. Paratransit Reservationist 12/07/15

ACOL, ISAIAH Service Attendant 12/07/15

RAMISCAL, STACEY HEM – Radio Tech/Electrician 12/16/15

INABA, BRIAN Storekeeper 01/04/16

BAYRON, JEROME HEM – Running Repair 02/01/16

LAMUG, BRADLEY Mechanic Helper 02/01/16

LONGBOY, MICHAEL Paratransit Operator 02/06/16

NASHIRO, ROSS Paratransit Operator 02/06/16

PAKELE, BRADLEY Paratransit Operator 02/06/16

SCANLAN–HIMALAYA, JUSTIN Paratransit Operator 02/06/16

DORAL, STEPHANIE Personnel Specialist 02/08/16

RIES, CHAD HEM – Running Repair 02/08/16

DOMINGO, NORMAN HEM – Running Repair 02/16/16

MORALES, TRENTON Paratransit Mechanic 02/22/16

SAKUMA, DANIEL Temporary HEM Air Condition 02/22/16

AKUI, WAYNE Bus Operator 03/05/16

BAPTISTA, MATEO Bus Operator 03/05/16

CUBAN, CLIFTON Bus Operator 03/05/16

DOMINGO, ROBERT Bus Operator 03/05/16

ELKINGTON, DEANA Bus Operator 03/05/16

HORNE, TIFFANY Bus Operator 03/05/16

JAVIER, RAFAEL Bus Operator 03/05/16

KAIKANA, ANDRE Bus Operator 03/05/16

MATIAS, PHILIP Bus Operator 03/05/16

MATSUNO, RONNIE Bus Operator 03/05/16

MERRITT, TINA Bus Operator 03/05/16

PACHECO, CAROLEE Bus Operator 03/05/16

PALAUNI, ALFRED Bus Operator 03/05/16

QUICHOCHO JR., ANTONIO Bus Operator 03/05/16

SIIMALEVAI, MILA Bus Operator 03/05/16

TAMAYO, MARDY Bus Operator 03/05/16

VALDEZ, JERRY Bus Operator 03/05/16

WILLIAMS, PETER Bus Operator 03/05/16

KEKAHUNA, PETER Temporary Service Attendant 03/14/16

PASCUAL, RICHARD Service Attendant 03/16/16

MATAUTIA, TUIOMANU Temp. Entry Information Clerk 04/01/16

YAMANE, KELSEY Temp. Entry Planning & Data Clerk 04/01/16

TAOY, OLIVER HEM – Running Repair 04/01/16

DENTON, HENRY Paratransit Operator 04/02/16

EDBOI, CASEY Paratransit Operator 04/02/16

Employee Title Date of Hire

JANG, PETER Paratransit Operator 04/02/16

KATAKURA, KATRINA Paratransit Operator 04/02/16

KERNS, ROBERT Paratransit Operator 04/02/16

LEWIS–WYATT, SULEANER Paratransit Operator 04/02/16

MCCLENDON, JOSHUA Paratransit Operator 04/02/16

SHANNON, KEVIN Paratransit Operator 04/02/16

TAY, THIANG Paratransit Operator 04/02/16

WATANABE, ALBERT Paratransit Operator 04/02/16

KIA, KYLE HEM – Running Repair 04/18/16

PONTE, DOROTHY Temp. Paratransit Reservationist 04/20/16

REYES, ERNEST Paratransit Dispatcher 05/01/16

TOMISATO, CHERYL Assistant Purchasing Manager 05/01/16

BEDFORD, FRANK Paratransit Mechanic 05/09/16

PULU, TINA Temp. Paratransit Reservationist 05/09/16

KEKAHUNA, SPIKE HEM – Running Repair 05/10/16

CAZINHA, KEITH Storekeeper 05/16/16

MANALANG, EDWIN HEM – Machinist 05/16/16

TOLENTINO, KENNY HEM – Body Shop 05/16/16

ZHENG, SAM HEM – Electrician 05/16/16

AFOA, TASIMILO Bus Operator 06/04/16

BAILEY, ROBERT Bus Operator 06/04/16

BAQUIEL, PHILIPPE Bus Operator 06/04/16

GASCON, ARTHUR Bus Operator 06/04/16

GUMAPAC, TONETTE Bus Operator 06/04/16

INOUYE, AUSTIN Bus Operator 06/04/16

KAHOOKELE, TERESA Bus Operator 06/04/16

KAIKAKA, KIMBERLY Bus Operator 06/04/16

MARCOS, RUBEN Bus Operator 06/04/16

MATTIS, AARON Bus Operator 06/04/16

MOLINA, MICHAEL Bus Operator 06/04/16

ROBINO, ALVIN Bus Operator 06/04/16

ROMAN, RONSON Bus Operator 06/04/16

RUIZ, BRYSON Bus Operator 06/04/16

SAGAPOLUTELE, PATI Bus Operator 06/04/16

VILLANUEVA, TIMOTHY Bus Operator 06/04/16

YANG, ZHAOZONG Bus Operator 06/04/16

BARANGAN, ARISTOTLE HEM – Air Condition 06/08/16

BOYLE, TIMOTHY Paratransit Operator 06/25/16

DAVIS, KELLY Paratransit Operator 06/25/16

DENNIS, CHARLES Paratransit Operator 06/25/16

GUSMAN, RODNEY Paratransit Operator 06/25/16

KE, ROBBIE Paratransit Operator 06/25/16

RAGODOS, DARLITO Paratransit Operator 06/25/16

SUMAILO, DELBERT Paratransit Operator 06/25/16

TAUALA, ANOSAN Paratransit Operator 06/25/16

TORRES, TROY Paratransit Operator 06/25/16

UNUTOA, JUSTIN Paratransit Operator 06/25/16

WAHILANI, PURDYKA Paratransit Operator 06/25/16

Employee Title Date of Hire

8

Cummins Million Mile Club

or the second time in five years, Oahu Transit Services, Inc. and the City and County of Honolulu will be recognized for being the “only” Cummins Diesel Engine Operator to achieve One Million

Miles on an originally-equipped engine while operating in a transit system environment. Cummins Corporate conducted a nationwide search and came up empty. No other Transit System Operator in the nation has ever accomplished such a milestone. As one can imagine, such an accreditation is considered a big deal for the entire Oahu Transit Services Vehicle Maintenance Team.

While most Cummins Million Mile Club members drive Class 8 trucks, only one Transit System Operator has joined this elite club – Oahu Transit Services Inc. This most impressive accomplishment speaks well of the Company as a whole, defines our competence, and communicates our commitment to the mission.

Photo Above: Oahu Transit Services, Inc.’s Million Mile Bus.

Herb BarbozaVice President, Maintenance

Later this summer, Cummins Diesel will unveil for the second time an award no other Transit System Operator in the nation can call recognition to. Cummins Corporate will once again recognize Oahu Transit Services Inc. and the City and County of Honolulu for their demonstrated success in vehicle maintenance. I believe the biggest message Oahu Transit Services will send the second time around is that the first time was no coincidence–our vehicle maintenance program is solid and our technicians are among the best in the country.

Looking ahead, the Maintenance Department will continue its quest to strengthen ongoing programs and perhaps set a few more industry milestones. After all, there is no greater sense of achievement than a job well done!

F

Photo above (left to right) Front Row: Robert Yu, Ed Johnson (Cummins Inc.), Herb Barboza, Adam Tamayoshi.

Back Row: Spencer Louie, Glenn Santiago, Frank Butcher, Edwin Bolosan, Bobby Wallace, Brian Lowery, Roger Morton,

John Miranda (Cummins Inc.), Brent Sarria, Charlie Lee.

9

Cummins Million Mile BusRecognition Award Presentation

Photo Above: Ed Johnson of Cummins Inc. presents Million Mile Bus Award to Roger Morton and Herb Barboza.

Photo Above: Million Mile Bus Award.

1st Place: Alipate Taualupe2nd Place: Jimmy Scott3rd Place: Derwin Yamaguchi

1st Place Team: David Kaya (Captain) Ronald Domenden Constantine Benemerito 2nd Place Team: Lonn Nakata (Captain) Michael Sugimoto Richard Takeuchi3rd Place Team: Randall Ige (Captain) Keith Yanagi Rogelio Eugenio

1st Place: Faapale Sipili2nd Place: David Dieudonne3rd Place: LaDrakeus Martin

January 2016 January 2016Paul Fernandez Lorna Manzano

February 2016 February 2016Marino Manipon Chris Cargo

March 2016 March 2016Douglas Rego Lori McMillan

April 2016 April 2016Glenn Gima Paul Dulatre

May 2016 May 2016Robert Wong Jesus Espinosa

June 2016 June 2016Daniel O’Donnell Jon Benedicto

July 2016 July 2016Kinchung Fong Dawn Nakila

August 2016 August 2016Dino Jones Amosa Amosa

Bus Operators Of The Month KALIHI DIVISION PEARL CITY DIVISION

2015 OTSRoadeo Winners

Photo above: OTS Roadeo winners honored by the Mayor of Honolulu Kirk Caldwell.

TheBus Roadeo

TheBus Maintenance Roadeo

TheHandi-Van Roadeo

Photo above: OTS Roadeo winners honored by the Honolulu City Council.

10

January 2016 YearsLisa Distajo 22Edward Nakamura 39

February 2016 YearsTony Medina 21George Wong 26

March 2016 YearsSusan Bega 27Edwin Dela Rosa 24Walter Fox 34Edward Kama Jr. 26Keith Souza 32

Operator Safety Awards April 2016 YearsAlan Lalau 21David Paakaula Jr. 30Pamela Self 36Robert Shinsato 22

May 2016 YearsJason Hoshida 25

June 2016 YearsDavid Kasaoka 42Derwin Yamaguchi 35

Bus Operators Of The Month KALIHI DIVISION PEARL CITY DIVISION

11

Operator of the Quarter

Ralph Aviles hung up his gloves as a pro boxer when he had an opportunity to work a steady job driving TheBus.

Ralph graduated from Class 102 with Bridget Boyd, Walter Kealoha, Alan Lalau, Sam Makekau, David Paakaula, Greg Perreira, and Lance Santos in 1986.

“Always evolving and adapting to change has helped me to be in tune with my passengers. Daily interaction allows me to be more mindful on how I treat people.It’s important to be respectful, courteous,

and caring because these qualities leave a lasting impression on people.”

Ralph admits that driving TheBus wasn’t his “cup of tea” in the beginning, but it got easier in the years went by. “What I like most about driving is being out there on the road and the relaxation I get by seeing the beauty of Hawaii. I feel very blessed for having this job.”

Congratulations, Winter 2015 Operator of the Quarter!

When Glenn Gima saw his long-time friend Jason Amuro in a BMW one day, he learned that Jason drove TheBus for a living. Glenn had already applied at TheBus for a mechanic’s helper position, but figured if Jason can buy a BMW, he could do well supporting his family if he did the same. Glenn quickly reapplied for a bus driver position.

Glenn, Charles Sullivan, Robert Hummel, Bruce Sagawinit, Roger Cajimat, and Bill Takeuchi graduated from Class #141 over 18 years ago.

Glenn likes driving TheBus. As a youngster, Glenn recalls riding his bike like he was a bus driver-stopping at every mailbox pretending they were bus stops.

Glenn has been enjoying driving the Route #1 as his main route for the past ten years. “The main thing is to be patient, listen to what your instructors taught you, and do your job. Don’t pay attention to the rowdy people-the ones that want to ‘challenge’ you. When times get rough, think about your family.”

“I am thankful, and it’s a privilege to have a good job. I feel very blessed and lucky, and I don’t take my job for granted.”

Congratulations, Summer 2016 Operator of the Quarter!

Photo Above: Spring 2016 Operator of the Quarter Glenn Gima.

Congratulations, 2015 Master Operator of the Year!Congratulations to Handi-Van Operator Robert Neil McCormick for being selected as Oahu Transit Services, Inc.’s Paratransit Services Master Operator.

Mr. McCormick has been employed with Oahu Transit Services, Inc. since April 18, 2009. Robert is always dependable, efficient, and unfailingly productive. His skills go beyond the expected driving behavior of driving defensively, being dependable, and being decisive at all times while on his tour of duty. Mr. McCormick’s driving mannerism extends to levels of providing the best customer service.

He continues to project a warm, cheerful attitude to our clients as well as his fellow constituent’s and management. He has proven himself by resolving conflicts and handling other difficult situations with remarkable patience and admirable tact. He loves people, works hard, and always tries to lift the spirits of those around him.

The characteristics Mr. McCormick continues to project represents all that is good in our company, and we are pleased to honor him as he represents Paratransit Services as the 2015 Master Operator of the Year.

Photo Above: 2015 Paratransit Master Operator Robert Neil McCormick.

Photo Above: Winter 2015 Operator of the Quarter Ralph Aviles.

Paratransit Class 54

Photo above (left to right): Ross Nashiro, Michael Longboy, Justin Himalaya, Bradley Pakele.

Graduated February 5, 2016

Photo above (left to right): Afaese Afaese, Faapale Sipili, LaDrakeus Martin, David Dieudonne, Charlotte Townsend,

Tracie Coelho and JoAnne Sipili.

12

2015 TheHandi-Van Roadeo

TheHandi-Van at the2015 Holiday Bash

December 2015Robert McCormick

January 2016Kevin Takeda

Febraury 2016Darrin Wilson


Photo above (left to right) Front Row: Albert Watanabe, Casey Edboi, Peter Jang, Katrina Katakura, Joshua McClendon, Anbernadette Culannay.

Back Row: Suleaner Lewis-Wyatt, Kevin Shannon, Robert Kerns, Henry Denton, Thiang Tay.

Graduated April 1, 2016

March 2016Patricia Quiambo

April 2016Rudy Perucho

May 2016Warren Oasay

June 2016Michael Evangelista

July 2016Jonathan Kahue

August 2016Cynthia Robello


Photo above (left to right) Front Row: Robbie Ke, Darlito Ragodos, Rodney Gusman, Purdyka Wahilani, Kelly Davis, Timothy Boyle.

Back Row: Justin Unutoa, Charles Dennis, Troy Torres, Anosan Tauala, Delbert Sumailo.

Graduated June 24, 2016

13

Paratransit Van Operators Of The Month

DECEMBER 2015Five (5) Year AwardRonald CollingLoimata PotoaeEight (8) Year AwardRannie AgagTwelve (12) Year AwardRobyn FreitasThirteen (13) Year AwardViolet Ahia-YoungRandall De Guzman

JANUARY 2016 Eight (8) Year AwardBenjamin CalamayanEleven (11) Year AwardReuben CezarThirteen (13) Year AwardNorman CabaloDesiree Harvey

FEBRUARY 2016Five (5) Year AwardAustin InouyeMaximiano JardinValray JeremiahSeven (7) Year AwardPatsy Cullen

Eight (8) Year AwardTonette GumapacTerrence KealohaNine (9) Year AwardBryan NatividadRodolfo PeruchoEleven (11) Year AwardMartin LuckhausTwelve (12) Year AwardStanley SouzaThirteen (13) Year AwardIsaako LoaJoselito Suga

MARCH 2016Seven (7) Year AwardElvira PacarroNine (9) Year AwardJacob TurnerRoy UeharaTen (10) Year AwardJonah MawaeThirteen (13) Year AwardErnie HailiLavone IkedaAriel Ponce

Paratransit Safety AwardsAPRIL 2016Five (5) Year AwardCharlene LawelaweSix (6) Year AwardWarren OssaySeven (7) Year AwardRoel JandocNine (9) Year AwardFrancis SilvaTen (10) Year AwardWendy NaileThirteen (13) Year AwardFaapale Sipili

MAY 2016Five (5) Year AwardGregory ChangAmelia WillingSix (6) Year AwardRyan DiazEight (8) Year AwardGary NettlesTwelve (12) Year AwardGeorge Biacan

In Memory of. . . Jaime Hupalar passed away on December 8, 2015. Mr. Hupalar was employed with MTL, Inc., on July 6, 1974. He retired on March 1, 1998, as a Bus Operator, with 24 years of dedicated service.

Richard Kalamau passed away on February 10, 2016. Mr. Kalamau was employed with MTL, Inc., on February 10, 1975. He retired on May 1, 2007, as a First Class Trades Person, with 32 years of dedicated service.

Andrew Bonocan passed away on March 21, 2016. Mr. Bonocan was employed with MTL, Inc., on August 11, 1980. He retired on December 1, 2005, as a HEM – Air Condition, with 25 years of dedicated service.

Betty Kajiwara passed away on April 1, 2016. Ms. Kajiwara was employed with HRT, Co., Ltd. on March 12, 1942. She retired on November 1, 1986, as a Corporate Secretary, with 44 years of dedicated service.

Laura Keawe-Aiko passed away on June 5, 2016. Ms. Keawe-Aiko was employed with HRT, Co., Ltd. on February 16, 1966. She retired on June 1, 1994, as an Information Clk. Supevisor, with 28 years of dedicated service.

Thomas Apo passed away on June 15, 2016. Mr. Apo was employed with MTL, Inc., on April 17, 1979. He retired on June 1, 2005, as a Bus Operator, with 26 years of dedicated service.

Henry I. Kupahu Jr. passed away on July 21, 2016. Mr. Kupahu was employed with HRT. Co., Ltd., on December 11, 1968. He retired on November 1, 1997, as a Bus Operator, with 29 years of dedicated service.

14

Step Out - Walk to Stop Diabetes 2016Sixty-seven OTS employees, family and friends participated in the 25th Annual Step Out Walk to Stop Diabetes on March 19, 2016. Including an in-house chili rice and bake sale fundraiser, OTS raised $1,698 for the American Diabetes Association.

Mahalo to Hawaii Teamsters and Allied Workers Union Local 996 for donating water and bentos for the walkers, and to all who participated in the walk or donated goods for the fundraiser.

TheBus Helps Develop New Dynamic Scheduling Process for Busy Bus RouteJ. Roger MortonPresident and General Manager

several buses used on the Route 8. Rather than concentrate on getting a single bus back on schedule, the new monitoring system looks at all the buses on the route and attempts to keep them more or less properly spaced. That way, the system can react to differing road conditions and special events such as parades. Spacing can be maintained both by dynamically starting a bus trip at the optimal time and by giving real-time tablet cues to the bus operator to maintain proper spacing. Buses can be removed or inserted into the route, and the system will automatically adjust headways and spacing.

The basic research is supported by an FTA technology development grant that the start-up company was awarded. The new system was championed by OTS Deputy General Manager Robert Yu and Transportation VP Ralph Faufata. Sometime in the near future, the system will be expanded to Route 2 – TheBUS’s busiest route. And the dynamic scheduling model will be required when TheBus implements a Waikiki Circulator system to transport 30,000 daily passengers from the Ala Moana rail station to Waikiki.

Anyone who has ever waited for what seems like forever for a bus—only to have two or three arrive at the same time—has experienced “bus bunching,” a seemingly intractable problem for transit agencies and one that leaves bus patrons seething. Bus bunching is a mathematically predictable process and is especially prevalent on shorter, busy bus routes with high passenger volumes and relatively short headways. Sound familiar? Bus bunching occurs when a random delay (a long traffic signal, a delay in loading a wheelchair, someone taking a long time to pay their fare) occurs. After even a small delay, there are more passengers to load in upcoming stops, which causes even more delay and ultimately causes the trailing bus to catch up with the leader bus. It can even be represented on a model such as the one found at http://setosa.io/bus/.

Now TheBus is trying to do something about it. For the past few months, TheBus has been working with VIA Analytics – a new startup that grew out of the University of California at Berkeley. The new system is called TEMPO and is the first attempt to manage an entire transit route in real time. Android tablets have been installed in

Express!Published by

Oahu Transit Services, Inc.Operators of TheBus & TheHandi-Van

811 Middle StreetHonolulu, Hawaii 96819

≈

Department of Transportation Services

Michael D. FormbyDirector, Department of Transportation Services

Eileen MarkChief, Public Transit Division

≈

Oahu Transit Services, Inc.

J. Roger MortonPresident and General Manager

Robert YuSenior Vice President andDeputy General Manager

≈

Express! Staff

Jerome PreeseVice President, Planning & Marketing

Michelle KennedyDirector, Marketing & Communications

Linda MitsunagaCustomer Service Clerk Coordinator

(Customer Communications)

Sadao R. NarikiyoGraphic Designer

Scott SasakiDistribution Clerk

(Customer Communications)

≈

Contributing Writers

Herb BarbozaVice President, Maintenance

Tom EnomotoManager, Customer Service

Ramona K. SilvaDirector of Operations,

Paratransit Services

15

Photo above: Field Operations Manager John Donovan demonstrates the dispatcher module for the new TEMPO Dynamic Scheduling System.

PresortedStandard

U.S. Postage

PAIDHonolulu, HI

Permit No. 9033

811 Middle StreetHonolulu HI96819-2343

Calendar of EventsNovember 8 - General Election Day Holiday - Weekday School Day Off Schedule11 - Veterans’ Day Holiday - State Holiday Schedule24 - Thanksgiving Day Holiday - Sunday Schedule (AZoff)

5 - Labor Day Holiday - Sunday Schedule30 - Aloha United Way Day: “The Food of My People”- Cook Off The Taste of OTS - “Food of My People” OTS Organization Olympics

September

October

December 4 - Effective Start Date of the December Sign-Up26 - Christmas Holiday - Sunday Schedule (AZoff)

2 - New Year’s Holiday - Sunday Schedule (AZoff)16 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - State Holiday Schedule

January

31 - OTS Halloween Cosplay Contest

Documents

Oahu Transit Services, Inc. Newsletter Volume XXIV ...3 Felipe Anguiano, Lead Mechanic, was promoted on 4/1/2016. Felipe was previously a HEM – Running Repair and has been with OTS,